Universal structural element

ABSTRACT

The invention describes a universal structural element ( 1 ) for the purpose of forming in particular, three-dimensional structures, which structural element can be manufactured in a convenient manner efficiently, cost-effectively from the most varied materials and can be recycled in an environmentally-friendly manner, can be used and applied universally, enables a monolithic type of construction using similar connectors ( 5 ) for connecting similar structural elements together and with other elements at low assembly cost and allows disassembly or reconstruction work to be conducted in a straightforward and non-destructive manner, meets high static requirements and can preferably be standardised in modular dimensions. 
     In accordance with the invention, a universal structural element ( 1 ) in the form of a profile body, having preferably a substantially square cross-section, comprises on all longitudinal sides undercut grooves ( 2 ) which are connected on the end sides ( 3 ) by means of intersecting undercut grooves ( 4 ) with preferably the same cross-section.

The invention relates to a universal structural element, preferably inthe form of a profile body having undercut grooves for the purpose ofassembling identical universal structural elements together and otherelements having undercut grooves with an identical or similarcross-section for the purpose of forming, in particular,three-dimensional structures.

The prior art discloses a plurality of solutions for combining profilestogether by means of suitable connecters to form two-dimensional andalso three-dimensional structures. Document DE 195 29 929 A1 discloses amethod and construction kit for the purpose of producing structural bodyparts and complete construction bodies using structural elements, whichare to be connected together, and an arrangement for connecting thestructural elements, wherein the construction kit for the purpose offorming the two-dimensional or three-dimensional structures comprisesthe most varied structural elements which are designed specifically foreach construction. The large number of different structural elements, inparticular also for the purpose of forming three-dimensional structures,necessitates a large production range including correspondingly highstorage costs, moreover the production of angular elements and furtherspecial connectors by means of welding from profiles orinjection-moulding processes is equally as costly as theframework-assembly of a structure consisting of the individualstructural elements. Modifications to the arrangement of the elementsfor reconstruction works and the disassembly for re-usage purposes arenot possible or are extremely costly.

Using this construction kit it is not possible to meet high staticrequirements.

The assembly of building panels comprising undercut channels at theirends, into which a connector is introduced for the purpose of looselyconnecting the panels and subsequently elastic inserts are driven intothe intermediate spaces for reinforcement purposes, is described indocument U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,039. The channels have a T-shapedcross-section and the panels are connected by double-T-shapedconnectors. In order to connect transverse wall panels, speciallydesigned connectors are required, as is the case for corner connections.It is only possible to connect transverse wall panels outside panelbutts in the case of panels having additional lateral channels at siteswhich are predetermined during manufacture thereof.

The disadvantage of the solution resides in particular in the storage ofthe required larger number of different specific connectors for thepanels, the connection of transverse walls, the corner formations andthe wall panels which vary depending upon the installation site, and thehigh assembly outlay arising from the need to drive in the elasticinserts, wherein straightforward disassembly of or subsequentmodifications to the arrangement of the panels cannot be made. It islikewise not possible using the same connector system to connect lowerand upper ends in a convenient manner to a structure assembled in thisway and consisting of wall panels.

It is the object of the invention to develop a universal structuralelement for the purpose of forming, in particular, three-dimensionalstructures, which structural element can be manufactured in anefficient, cost-effective manner from the most varied materials, can berecycled in an environmentally-friendly manner, can be used and applieduniversally, enables a monolithic type of construction using similarconnectors for connecting similar structural elements together and withother elements at low assembly cost and allows disassembly orreconstruction work to be conducted in a straightforward andnon-destructive manner, meets high static requirements and canpreferably be standardised in modular dimensions.

The object is achieved by the features stated in claim for protection 1.Preferred developments are provided in the subordinate claims.

The essence of the invention resides in the formation of a universalstructural element in the form of a profile body having preferably asubstantially square cross-section which on all longitudinal sidescomprises undercut grooves which are connected on the end sides by meansof intersecting, undercut grooves having preferably the samecross-sectional.

For specific applications, the undercut grooves in the longitudinalsides and also in those in the end sides can comprise differentcross-sections.

The universal structural element can be produced from virtually allsynthetic or natural materials, wherein materials which are suitable forcontinuous manufacture are preferably used for extrusion orextrusion-moulding processes.

It is also within the scope of the invention optionally to arrangereinforcements in the profile cross-section.

In order to connect the universal structural element together [sic] in anon-positive or positive manner to form two-dimensional and/orthree-dimensional structures, it is possible to introduce, into thegrooves, profiles as connectors over the entire length of the universalstructural element, of which the cross-section corresponds, inparticular, to double the cross-section of the undercut groove asreflected at the longitudinal axis. If different profiles havingundercut grooves of a different cross-section are connected together,then the formation of the profile of the connectors corresponds to thecombination of the cross-sections thereof.

It is possible to perform a continuous assembly process when connectingseveral universal structural elements by way of the undercut grooves inthe end sides thereof by means of connectors.

For the purpose of straightforward positive connections, it is alsofeasible to use flat profiles as connectors.

It is possible to tailor the selection of the material of the connectorsto suit the respective application and to meet the requirements placedupon the structure produced from universal structural elements. Forstructures, upon which static requirements are placed, such as e.g.ceilings as supporting construction parts, it is possible in particularto use steel connectors. For different applications, these connectorscan consist of the most varied natural and/or synthetic materials.

The cross-section of the undercut grooves of the universal structuralelement is preferably T-shaped, but can also be e.g. wedge-shaped,circular or semi-circular with a cross-piece.

The undercut grooves can optionally be provided in the end sides of theuniversal structural element only as far as the depth of thelongitudinal groove.

Furthermore, it is possible to form a universal structural element as ablock which has a substantially rectangular cross-section and whichalong the narrow sides comprises undercut grooves which are connected onthe end sides to undercut grooves, wherein the substantially rectangularcross-section corresponds to an integer multiple of the cross-section ofthe universal structural element having a substantially squarecross-section.

The universal structural elements are preferably produced in lengths ina modular dimension for a modular construction system, so thatconstruction orifices can be produced in a standardised size, into whichframes of closure parts, which comprise grooves or undercut grooves, forconstruction orifices such as windows or doors can be inserted and saidframes can be connected in a non-positive and positive manner to theuniversal structural elements by means of profiles.

Furthermore, it is possible to produce specific surface structuresand/or coatings for the universal structural element which are interalia decorative and/or functional. The advantages of the inventionreside particularly in the universal applicability of the universalstructural element which can be produced from natural or syntheticmaterials. The universal structural element is environmentally-friendlyand can be recycled. In dependence upon the cross-sectional size, thematerial used for the purpose of producing the universal structuralelement, the reinforcement provided and the specific properties of theconnectors used, it is possible in a straightforward and rapid assemblyprocess to produce, in a monolithic type of construction, constructionswhich meet static requirements, sealed containers, furniture or framesfor receiving two-dimensional bodies, wherein the structures producedcan be adapted conveniently to suit modified requirements and can thenbe disassembled in a problem-free manner. In addition to these areas ofusage stated by way of example, it is also possible to use the saidstructural element in the area of model making and toys.

The similarity of the universal structural elements which are to beconnected together permits an efficient manufacturing process withminimal storage of universal structural elements, which are produced inmodular dimensions, and the associated connectors, wherein the universalstructural elements can conveniently be combined together in a variablemanner and with different or similar structural elements.

The invention is explained in detail as an exemplified embodiment withreference to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a corner formation with universalstructural elements,

FIG. 2 shows an X-ray-like sectional view for the detailed illustrationof the undercut grooves in the region of an end face of a universalstructural element,

FIG. 3 shows a view of a universal structural element as a block,

FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the connection of universal structuralelements together,

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of universal structural elements for thepurpose of forming a building ceiling or wall,

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of structural elements for a foundation, and

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of structural elements as a framework.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a universal structural element 1 (1.1;1.2; 1.3) in the form of a profile body having a substantially squarecross-section comprises on all longitudinal sides undercut longitudinalgrooves 2 (2.1 to 2.8) which are connected on the end sides 3 (3.1; 3.2)by means of intersecting undercut grooves 4 (4.1; 4.2) having anidentical cross-section.

The corner formation, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1, of athree-dimensional structure, which is produced from universal structuralelements 1 in the form of profile bodies, is achieved in that twouniversal elements 1.1 and 1.3, which are disposed in a horizontalmanner in the direction of the wall, are connected together in anon-positive and positive manner by way of undercut grooves 4 in the endsides 3 by means of double-T-shaped connectors 5 (5.1; 5.2) byway of anundercut longitudinal groove 2 of a vertically disposed universalstructural element 1.2. Depending upon specific requirements, theconnectors 5 can consist of metal, plastics or fibre-reinforcedsynthetic materials or also of wood materials.

The longitudinal extension of the vertically disposed universalstructural element 1.2 corresponds to the height of the structure whichis to be produced, wherein said structure can be composed of severaluniversal structural elements 1 in modular dimensions, which structuralelements are connected together in a non-positive and positive manner bymeans of connectors 5 by way of the undercut grooves 4 in their abuttingend sides 3. The length of the horizontally disposed universal elements1.1 and 1.3 preferably corresponds to a modular dimension which isallocated to standardised closure elements for construction orificessuch as doors or windows. The value of the modular dimension can befurther subdivided, so that a universal structural element 1 is providedin form of a block as shown in FIG. 3, which block comprises undercutlongitudinal grooves 2 which are likewise connected by undercut grooves4 in the end sides 3. As shown by way of example in FIG. 4 in the formof blocks, the universal structural elements 1 are connected together bymeans of connectors 5 which are inserted into the undercut longitudinalgrooves 2. In principle, the similar universal structural elements 1which are disposed adjacent to each other or also one on top of theother are connected in this way by connectors 5 in a non-positive andpositive manner. The disassembly process is thus performed in the mostconvenient manner by pulling the connectors 5 out of the undercutlongitudinal grooves 2. The connectors 5 and also the universalstructural elements 1 can be reused for different structures or the samestructure for the reconstruction thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the arrangement of universal structuralelements 1 as a wall or floor or ceiling element which is assembled in ablock-board type of construction, wherein the universal structuralelements 1 which function as beams 6 are connected in a non-positive andpositive manner, similar to the means illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 andtheir arrangement, by way of the undercut longitudinal grooves 2 bymeans of connectors 5 by way of undercut grooves 4 in the end sides 3 ofthe other mutually connected universal structural elements 1 which aredisposed at a right angle thereto and in each case lie opposite oneanother in parallel. It is equally possible to combine structuresproduced in this or a similar manner with other construction parts, suchas insulating courses and/or cladding arrangements, as it is toconveniently disassemble and modify or extend the arrangement ofuniversal structural elements 1 which are assembled to form a structure.

Given low requirements upon the static properties of a structureconsisting of universal structural elements 1, it is also possible toachieve a merely positive connection by means of a flat profile in theundercut longitudinal grooves 2 of universal structural elements 1 whichare disposed in parallel.

Further examples of possible applications of the universal structuralelement 1 in the field of construction include inter alia the formationof a foundation 7, as shown in FIG. 6, by means of a non-positive andpositive interconnection of universal structural elements. 1 by means ofconnectors 5, as shown in the detail A.

It is likewise possible to arrange universal structural elements 1 forthe purpose of forming a framework 8 as shown in FIG. 7. In this case,the vertically disposed universal structural elements 1 are connected ina non-positive and positive manner, similar to the means and theirgeometric design as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, by way of the undercutgrooves 4 in the end sides 3 by mean's of connectors 5, of which thelength corresponds at a maximum to the width of the end side 3, and theundercut longitudinal grooves 2 of the horizontally disposed universalstructural elements 1. The structures which are formed from theuniversal structural elements 1 can be closed by panels which arereceived in each case in the undercut longitudinal grooves 2.

In a similar manner, it is also possible to produce structural parts andstructural elements, for example, for furniture or vehicles.

List of Reference Numerals Used

-   1 universal structural element-   2 undercut longitudinal groove-   3 end side-   4 undercut groove-   5 connector-   6 beam-   7 foundation-   8 framework-   A detail

1. A universal structural element system comprising: (a) a plurality ofuniversal structural elements, each universal structural elementcomprising: (i) a body having at least one longitudinal side and atleast two end sides (3); (ii) an undercut groove in at least one of saidat least one longitudinal side; (iii) an undercut groove in at least oneof said at least two end sides (3); and (iv) said undercut groovespreferably have the same cross-section; (b) at least one double sidedconnector (5), each side of said at least one double sided connector (5)suitable for interconnecting with said undercut grooves; (c) a first ofsaid plurality of universal structural elements (1) operativelyconnected to a second of said plurality of universal structural elements(1) by means of said at least one double sided connector (5), a firstside of said at least one double sided connector (5) interconnectingwith an undercut groove in said first of said plurality of universalstructural elements (1) and a second side of said at least one doublesided connector (5) interconnecting with an undercut groove in saidsecond of said plurality of universal structural elements (1); and (d)at least one of said at least two end sides (3) has a plurality ofintersecting undercut grooves therein.
 2. The universal structuralelement (1) of claim 1, wherein said undercut groove in at least one ofsaid at least one longitudinal side intersects said undercut groove inat least one of said at least two end sides (3).
 3. The universalstructural element (1) of claim 1, wherein undercut groove in at leastone of said at least two end sides (3) comprises a partial length whichcorresponds to the depth of said undercut groove in at least one of saidat least one longitudinal side.
 4. The universal structural element (1)of claim 1, wherein each undercut groove in at least one of said atleast two end sides (3) has an open first groove end and an open secondgroove end, said-open first groove end intersecting with a first atleast one longitudinal side and said open second groove end intersectingwith a second at least one longitudinal side.